parking brake MERCEDES-BENZ R350 2008 W251 Owner's Guide

415 Practical hints
What to do if …
ProblemPossible cause/conse-
quenceSuggested solution
-The yellow ABS indicator lamp comes on while
the engine is running.The self-diagnosis has not yet
been completed yet.The indicator lamp will go out after driving
a short distance at a vehicle speed of
above 12 mph (20 km/h).
;(USA only)
3(Canada only)
The red brake warning lamp
comes on while driving and an
acoustic warning sounds.You are driving with the
parking brake set.Release the parking brake
(
page 56).
There is insufficient brake fluid
in the reservoir.Risk of accident! Carefully stop the
vehicle in a safe location or as soon as
it is safe to do so.
Apply the parking brake (page 65).
Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Do not add brake fluid! This will not
solve the problem.
Warning!G
Driving with the brake warning lamp illumi-
nated can result in an accident. Have your
brake system checked immediately if the
brake warning lamp stays on.
Do not add brake fluid before checking the
brake system.Overfilling the brake fluid res-
ervoir can result in spilling brake fluid on hot
engine parts and the brake fluid catching
fire. You can be seriously burned.!If you find that the brake fluid in the brake
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark or
below, have the brake system checked for brake
pad thickness and leaks.

417 Practical hints
What to do if …
ProblemPossible cause/conse-
quenceSuggested solution
?(USA only)
±(Canada only)
The yellow engine malfunction
indicator lamp comes on while
driving.There is a malfunction in:

The fuel management
system

The ignition system

The emission control
system

Systems which affect
emissions
Such malfunctions may result
in excessive emissions values
and may switch the engine to
its limp-home (emergency
operation) mode.
Have the vehicle checked as soon as
possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
An on-board diagnostic connector is
used by the service station to link the
vehicle to the shop diagnostics
system. It allows the accurate identifi-
cation of system malfunctions through
the readout of diagnostic trouble
codes. It is located in the front left area
of the footwell next to the parking
brake pedal.
iSome states may by law require you to visit
a workshop as soon as the engine malfunction
indicator lamp comes on. Check local
requirements.

430 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
ABSUnavailable
See Operator’s ManualThe self-diagnosis has not yet been
completed yet.The display will clear after driving a short
distance at a vehicle speed of above
12 mph (20 km/h).
Cruise
Control And
SPEEDTRONIC

InoperativeThe cruise control is malfunctioning.Have cruise control checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Cruise
Control––– MPHYou have attempted to set a
speed while driving below
20 mph (30 km/h).Accelerate to a speed exceeding
20 mph (30 km/h) and set the speed
(
page 257).
The ESP® is switched off.Switch on the ESP® (page 105).
The automatic transmission is set to
position P, R, or N.Set the automatic transmission to
positionD (
page 190).
The vehicle is secured with the
parking brake.Release the parking brake (page 56).

431 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
DISTRONIC––– MPHYou have attempted to set a
speed while driving below
20 mph (30 km/h).Accelerate to a speed exceeding
20 mph (30 km/h) and set the speed
(
page 257).
The ESP® is switched off.Switch on the ESP® (page 105).
The automatic transmission is set to
position P, R, or N.Set the automatic transmission to posi-
tion D (
page 190).
The vehicle is secured with the
parking brake.Release the parking brake (page 56).
InoperativeThe Distronic* or the Distronic*
display are malfunctioning.Have the system checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
OverrideYou have accelerated. The
Distronic* has switched off.Stop accelerating.

434 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Depress brake
to shift out of P.You have tried to shift the automatic
transmission into position D, R or N
using the gear selector lever without
depressing the brake pedal.Depress the brake pedal.
Door Open
Vehicle Not In ParkYou have opened the driver’s door
and the automatic transmission is
still in position D, R or N.Before you leave the vehicle, make sure
that the automatic transmission is set to
position P and that the parking brake is
engaged.
Drive to workshop
without
shifting gears
.
The automatic transmission cannot
be shifted out of the set position be-
cause of a malfunction.If the automatic transmission is set to
positionD:
Without changing the automatic transmis-
sion from position D, drive to an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
If the automatic transmission is set to
positionN, R or P:
Do not drive.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.

438 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible
cause/consequencePossible solution
Front Passenger Airbag
Enabled
See Operator’s ManualFront passenger front
air bag is activated
while driving even
though a child, small
individual, or object
below the system’s
weight threshold is on
the front passenger
seat, or the front pas-
senger seat is empty.
Objects on the seat or
forces acting on the
seat may make the
system sense supple-
mental weight.Stop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as possible and check the front passen-
ger seat for the following:
Apply the parking brake (page 65).
Switch off the ignition (page 39).
Remove child and child restraint from front passenger seat and properly secure
the child in rear seat employing the child restraint if necessary.
Remove any other items from on and around the front passenger seat and
make sure the storage bag on the back of the front passenger seat is empty.
Make sure that no objects which apply forces to the seat are present (e.g. ob-
jects such as books, briefcases etc. lodged behind or around the seat, head re-
straints pushing against roof etc.). The system may recognize such forces as
supplemental weight and sense that an occupant on the front passenger seat
is of a greater weight than actually present.
Keep the seat unoccupied, close the front passenger door and switch on the
ignition (
page 39).
(Continued on next page)

440 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible
cause/consequencePossible solution
Front Passenger Airbag
Disabled
See Operator’s ManualFront passenger front
air bag is deactivated
while driving even
though an adult or
someone larger than a
small individual is oc-
cupying the front pas-
senger seat. Forces
acting on the seat may
make the system
sense a decrease in
weight.Stop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as possible and check the front
passenger seat for the following:
Apply the parking brake (page 65).
Switch off the ignition (page 39).
Have the front passenger vacate the seat and exit the vehicle.
Adjust the seat in a height position (page 44).
Make sure that no objects which apply forces to the seat are present (e.g. ob-
jects such as books, briefcases etc. lodged underneath, behind or around the
seat). Such forces may cause the system to sense that an occupant of a lesser
weight than actually present is on the front passenger seat.
Keep the seat unoccupied, close the front passenger door and switch on the
ignition (
page 39).
(Continued on next page)

445 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
#Battery/Alternator
Stop VehicleThe battery is defective.Stop the vehicle in a safe location or as
soon as it is safe to do so.
Apply the parking brake (page 65).
Do not continue to drive.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
2Brake WearThe brake pads have reached
their wear limit.Have the brake pads replaced as soon as
possible.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually in-
spected by a qualified technician at the intervals
specified in the Maintenance Booklet.

446 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
;(USA only)
!(Canada only)
Release
Parking BrakeYou are driving with the parking
brake set.Release the parking brake (page 56).
;(USA only)
3(Canada only)
EBV, ABS, ESP Inoperative
See Operator’s ManualThe EBP, the ABS, and the ESP®
have switched off due to a mal-
function. The BAS is also
switched off.
The brake system is still func-
tional but without the EBP, the
ABS, and the ESP
® available.
Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.
Have the system checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.

447 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
;(USA only)
3(Canada only)
Check
Brake Fluid LevelThere is insufficient brake fluid
in the reservoir.Risk of accident! Carefully stop the vehi-
cle in a safe location or as soon as it is
safe to do so.
Apply the parking brake (page 65).
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center. Do not add brake
fluid! This will not solve the problem.
Warning!G
Driving with the message Check Brake
Fluid Level
displayed can result in an ac-
cident. Have your brake system checked im-
mediately. Do not add brake fluid before
checking the brake system. Overfilling the
brake fluid reservoir can result in spilling
brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire. You could be
seriously burned.
!If you find that the brake fluid in the brake
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark or
below, have the brake system checked for brake
pad thickness and leaks.